Fuse device



7, 3940- 5-1. w. BODENDIECK 2,2H2,632

FUSE DEVICE Filed May 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 27, 1940" H. w. BODENDIEQK 2,212,632

FUSE DEVICE Filed May 8. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 27, H. w. BQDENDHECK 9 1 9 FUSE DEVICE Filed May 8, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 B'\ 59 I -Z w W i 5,

-2 194% H. w. BODENDXECK 2212,32

FUSE DEVICE Filed y 8. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet Patented Aug. 27, 1949 ginger 2,212,632 ruse nlnvrca Henry W. Bodendieclr, T

to A. B. Ohance 00., Centralia,

tion of Misso aylorville, llll., assignor Me, a corpora- Application May 8, 1937!, Serial No. 141,502

1 8 Claims;

This invention relates to fuse devices and has relation more particularly to a device of this kind The invention has for an object to provide a device of this kind including a fuse tube together with means whereby the fuse tube may be read- The invention also has for an object to provide a fuse device including a fuse tube provided with suitably spaced contact members electricaloperating to permit release of the gases generated within the tube at the time of blow-out with means to absorb the kick imparted to the tube at the time of blow-out whereby the life of the device is prolonged.

- A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind including a fuse tube with a mounting for such fuse tube including coacting fittings having associated roundcoacting to provide a fulcrum to fa- The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved fuse device whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more vantageous for use, as will fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a View 7 partly in side elevation and partly in section of a fuse device of a line tapping (Cl. flit-i116) type, a line or conductor with which the device is engaged being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a view in front elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 1 with the line or conductorindicated by broken lines;

Figure 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing the fuse tube just beforeit reaches its fully open blown position ready to be removed for re-fusing;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantial- 1y on the line 3"-3 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken substantially onthe line 3 -3 of Figure 3;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view it taken substantially on the line 4d of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating features of a fuse de- 29 vice constructed in accordance with another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary detail sectional view ken substantially on the line 71 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a transformer; Y

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating a means for mounting a fitting as comp-rised in Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line I 2l2 of Figure 1.

40 The embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive is of a tapping type two fittings A and B. The fitting 2. The spring 5 in initial assembly may be readily inserted within the bore 2 through its inner or lower open end but the ball 4 is placed within the bore 2 through a suitable opening 9 in the rear wall of said bore 2 as is particularly illustrated in Figure 3. This opening 6 is preferably normally closed by a spring cap 1 so as to prevent ingress of dirt or other foreign matter within bore 2 to interfere with the desired ready and free action of the ball 4 under control of the spring 5.

The lower or inner end of the body or memher I at opposite sides of the open end of the bore 2 has formed therewith having their rear extremities continued by the outwardly flared on diverging guide arms 9. The lower or inner endof the body I at its rear is also provided with the upwardly inclined guide plate I8 which is positioned between the arms 9.

The bodyor member I constitutes a fixed jaw and has disposed transversely across its front face a conductor or line receiving groove II. Pivotally engaged, as at I2, with the member or body I outwardly or above the groove II is a swinging jaw I4 for coaction with the member or body I for effective clamping action upon a conductor or line L under the action of the screw member I5. This 'screw member I5 threads through an outstanding boss I6 carried by the body or member I for contact with the tail extension ll of the swing ng jaw I4. The outer end of the screw member I5 carries an enlarged eye member or head I8 to be engaged by a' suitable tool for operating the screw member I5 to either tighten the jaw I4 with respect to its work or vice versa.. This screw member I5 is also intended to be engaged with a suitable stick or implement to apply the line L or to remove the device.

The body'or member I together with its flanges 8 and the jaw I4 are conductors of electricity.

Interposed between the front end portions of the flanges 8 and integrally formed therewith and with the lower or inner end of the body or member I is a stop flange I9 for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

In this embodiment of my invention, the flanges 8 closely adjacent to their junctions with the arms 9 have integrally formed therewith the downwardly or inwardly facing socket members 28 in which are securely anchored the extremities of the substantially parallel insulator bars 2| of desired length. The lower or opposite end portions of these bars 2| are securely fastened within the sleeves 22 and 22' arranged at opposite sides of the fitting B and with. I

The fitting B is of substantially a U-shape in cross section with the sleeves 22 and 22' adjacent to the outer or free extremities of said fitting B. This fitting B is constructed and formed to have its rear or intermediate portion 23 above the extremities of the fitting and the side arms 24 adjacent to their free ends and particularly between the sleeves 22 and 22 are relatively broad with the opposed faces of the side arms provided with the concaves 25 formed about a common center for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

One of the sleeves, as contact 26 of any preferred type and which, of course, is in proper electrical connection with the fitting B which is of a material readily conductive of electricity.

The fuse tube T is made of the customary inparallel flanges 8 clamp to the conductor or.

. but contacts from below integral there- 22-, carries a terminalsulating material, the same being open at both ends. At a point adjacent its lower end the tube T has snugly fitted thereon a contact member 21 having a lower or outer convex portion 28 parti-spherical'in form and of a radius substantially the same as the radius of the concave portions 25 of the fitting B so that when the member 21 is engaged with the fitting B the same will have free rolling movement particularly to facilitate dropping of the fuse tube T when blown and, of course, to facilitate the replacement of the fuse cartridge. The contact member 21 isSo spaced from the lower end of the tube T to permit said lower end portion of the tube T as the major portion of the tube drops, to swing up between the side arms of the in all-directions fitting B and contact with the raised intermealong the tube T for direct contact with the fitting B whereby the tube T is protected against injury.

The upper or outer end portion of the tube T has securely mounted thereon a collar 30 provided at its front portion'with an outstanding lug 3| to which is pivotally connected, as at 32, an eye member 33. This eye member 33 swings freely in a. direction lengthwise of the tube T but the movement of the member 33 towards the tube T is limited 33 with an outer corner of the lug 3I as particularly illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. This eye member 33 provides means whereby the tube T may be readily removed from the fitting B when the tube is in blown position or a re-fuse tube can be placed in operative engagement with both fittings A and B. This tube can be readily removed through the use of a well known type of hot stick or other implement which can be employed for manually operating the tube.

The rear portion of the sleeve 30 is provided thereacross with an outstanding boss 34 through which is slidably disposed an elongated rod 35. One end portion of this rod 35 carries a head 36 with the boss 34 to limit the upward or outward lengthwise movement of the rod 35 through the boss 34. The outer end portion of the rod 35 is rigidly secured to a laterally extending plate'3'l carried by a cap mem-' ber M. This member M comprises a sleeve 38, the inner end portion of which freely receives the adjacent 'upper or outer end of the tube T a button 43 of a diameter in excess of the di-' by contact of themember ameter of the opening M 50 that effective attach- 3 ment may be had of the fuse with the member M. It is preferred, however, that the fuse 42. be also inserted through a washer 44 which is.

interposed between the button 43 and the plate 39. The fuse 42 has associated therewith a conventional flexible p'igtail' 45 which is disposed through the tube T and passes out through the inner or lower: end thereof and is extended upn aeiaeea wardly and suitably clamped, as at 46, to the contact member 2?. When the fuse 42 is properly applied the pigtail 45 serves to hold the member M in closed position upon the adjacent end of the tube'T.

Extending outwardly from the boss 34 is an arm 4'! 59. The lugs 48 are pivotally connected, as at iii, to the arm 41 and the shank 49 is provided at its inner or pivoted extremity with the bifurcated tail piece 52 which straddles the rod 95.

When the cap member M is in closed position the plate 37 contacts the tail piece 52 and holds the same in close contact with the adjacent outer end of the boss 34, and at the same time holding the shank 49 rigid so that as the tube T is swung up toward the fitting A the head 59 will readily pass the ball 4 whereby the tube T is maintained in its desired raised and effective position. This shank 49 as well as the member M and its parts are also of material conductive of electricity so that when the device is engaged with the line or conductor and the fuse functioning the fiow will be through the fitting A, the

' shank 49 to the cap member M and along the fuse 42 and pigtail 45 to the contact member 21 to which the pigtail is clamped at 46.

It will be noted at this time that it is the mounting or placement of the fuse 42 that maintains the tube T in its raised or effective working position as the substantial rigidity of the shank 49 is dependent upon the holding contact of the member M upon the tail piece 52 of said shank 49 It is also to be noted that the shank 49 is of a length to prevent the tube T from passing the vertical and that it is disposed in a direction to cause the force of impact imposed upon the shank 49 as it passes the ball 4 to be transmitted direct to the arm 41 tially eliminating breakage of the fuse 42 at the time the tube T is locked in its raised or effective working position. In other words, when the tube T is forced into its closed position to complete a, circuit, liability imposing uponthe strain which would in many cases either rupture or completely dismember the fuse 42.

Immediately upon the blowing of the fuse 42 there is a certain amount of recoil of the tube.

'1' resulting from the force of the attendant exv plosion but this re-coil is effectively absorbed by the spring through the ball 4 and at the same time the cap member M is thrown into raised or lifted position. This results in both ends of the tube T being opened permitting ready escape of the gases created at the time of the blow out and thus materially silencing the sound of the blow out.

As the cap member M is raised or' lifted the shank 49 is also released so that said shank 49 will offer no hindrance or obstruction to the droption it will readily serve as a telltale as to the necessity of re-fusing. When the shank 49 passes the ball 4 the resilient contact has a tendency to partially rotate the ball thus forming a new contact or face on the ball 4 each time the fuse tube T is forced into circuit closing position.

thus minimizing or substan-- is substantially eliminated of fuse 42 any extremely heavy It is also to be particularly emphasized that after the head 50 of the shank 49 passes the ball 4 it will have close contact with the flange l9 or the adjacent portion of the member- 6 This contact eliminates to a great extent current travel through the ball 4 and the spring 5 or, in other words, the ball 5 and spring 5 are shunted out through the shank 49 due to the contact of the head 59 with the fiange l9 or the adjacent portion of the member i.

Relative to the parti-spherical portion 28 of the member 27 it is to be particularly stated that its co-action with the concave portions 25 of the fitting B gives to the tube T the feature of being self-aligning which, in an apparatus of this kind, is of particular value and importance.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the body or member l of the fitting A has extending laterally therefrom an arm 53 also rigidly secured to a cap 54 rigidly fitted upon the upper end portion of an elongated insulator 55. This cap 54 is also provided with suitable means, as at 56, whereby he insulator 55 may be suspended from a cross arm or otherwise as preferred. The body or member l of the fitting A also carries a suitable terminal connector 57! whch in its detail forms no part of 'my invention. The fitting B has a lateral arm 58 which is secured to a cap 59 securely engaged with the lower end of the insulator 55 and any preferred type. Coacting with these fittings A and B in the same manner as hereinbefore described with respect to the fittings A and B is a tube T and its concomitant parts as previously described.

In Figures 8 and 9 is illustrated an embodiment of the invention wherein the fitting A" is clamped, at Hi, to the upper end of an insulator 62 while the fitting B" is clamped, as at 63, to the lower end portion of such insulator 62; The central portion of the insulator 62 is clamped, as at 64, to a vertical post or the like or by having the clamp at right angles to what is shown in Figure 9 the insulator 62 can be readily securd to a cross arm. These fittings A" and B" also have coacting therewith the tube T and its parts in the same manner as has hereinbefore been described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention.

In Figure 10 is illustrated an assembly wherein the fittings A and B are suitably attached to the wall. of a transformer and with which fittings coacts as has hereinbefore been described the tube T and its parts.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a fuse device constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise'arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim: I

l. A fuse device comprising two spaced fittings, each being of a material conductive of electricity and having means for connection with a conductor, said fittings when in applied position being one above the other, the lower fitting being 1 member within the bore,

substantially in the form of an inverted U and having side arms provided with concavities in opposed faces, a fuse tube, a 'contact member secured to one end portion of the tube and disposed therearound, said contact memberlhaving a parti-spherical portion engaging within the concavities of the arms of the lower fitting to allow for swinging movement of thetube, a conductor member carried by the opposite end portion of the tube, means carried by said conductor member for detachable engagement with the upper fitting, a fuse normally providing an elec-. trical connection between the conductor member and the contact member, said conductor member releasing from the upper fitting upon blowing 'of the fuse to allow the tube to swing downwardly.

2. A fuse device comprising two spaced fittings, each being of a material conductive of electricity and having means for connection with a conductor, said .fittings when in applied position being one above the other, the lower fitting having side arms provided with concavities in opposed faces, a fuse tube, a contact member secured to one end portion of the tube and disposed therearound, said contact member having a parti-spherical portion engaging within the concavities of the arms of the lower fitting to allow for swinging movement of the tube, a conductor member carried by the opposite end portion of the tube, means carried by said conductor member for detachable engagement with the upper fitting, a fuse normally providing an electrical connection between the conductor member and the contact member, said conductor member releasing from the upper fitting upon blowing of the fuse to allow the tube to swing downwardly.

3. A fuse device comprising two fittings to be positioned one above the other, a fuse tube supported by the lower fitting for swinging movement toward or from the upper fitting, a shank pivotally engaged with the upper portion of the tube when in its raised position, said upper fitting having a bore open at its lower end, a ball the lower end of the bore being restricted to provide an internal seat tolimit the extent of movement of the ball member beyond said lower open end of the bore, yieldable means for constantly urging the ball member to its seat, said ball member engaging the shank when the tube is in its raised position and the shank held against swinging movement for maintaining the shank in its'raised position, and means carried by the tube including a fusefor holding the shank against swinging movement, said means releasing the shank upon blowing of the fuse to permit the tube to swing downwardly.

4. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, and a pair support in spaced'relation to each other for supporting a fuse tube, one of said fittings having a detent for engaging a part on said fuse tube and the other of said fittings ally projecting legs separated at their free ends to pass said tube, said legs being formed at the top inside with partially spherical formations for of metal fittings carried by said having a pair of laterengaging and retaining a complementary formation on said tube.

5. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, and a pair of metal fittings carried by said support in spaced relation to each other for supporting a fuse tube, one of said fittings having a detent for engaging a part on said fuse tube and the other of said fittings having a pair of laterally projecting legs separated at their free ends to pass said tube, said legs being formed at the top inside with partially spherical formations for engaging and retaining a complementary formation on said tube, and said legs being elongated to provide clearance between said yoke and tube when the fuse tube is supported by said detent, and said tube engaging said yoke for support of said tube when said tube is released from said detent.

6. A fuse tube unit comprising an insulating tube, a metallic fitting at one end of said tube having a movable part for engaging a detent on a support, a fuse link inthe tube and tensioned to hold said movable part in engagement with said detent, and a metallic fitting carried adjacent to but spaced inwardly of the other end of said tube, and adapted to be connected to the other end of said fuse link, said latter fitting having a partially spherical surface on its lower outside part for engaging in a complementary socket.

'7. A fuse tube unit comprising an insulating tube, a metallic fitting at one end of said tube having a movable part for engaging a detent on a support, a fuse link in the tube and tensioned to hold said movable part in engagement with said detent, and a metallic fitting carried adjacent to but spaced inwardly of the othergend of said tube, and adapted to be connected to the other end of said fuse link, said latter fitting having a partially spherical surface on its lower outside part for engaging in a complementary socket, and having a depending stop flange for engaging a support and holding the tube in inclined position. 4

8. A fuse device comprising an insulating support, and a pair of metal fittings carried by said support in spaced relation to each other for supporting a fuse tube, one of said fittings having a detent for engaging a part on said fuse tube and the other of said fittings having a pairof laterally projecting legs separated at their free ends to pass said tube, said legs being formed at the top inside, with partially spherical formations for engaging and retaining a complementary formation on said tube, a fuse tube unitcomprising an insulating tube, a metallic fitting at one end of said tube having a movable part for engaging a detent on a support, a fuse link in the tube and tensioned to hold said movable part in engagementwith said detent, and a metallic fitting carried adjacent to but spaced inwardly of the other end of said tube, and adapted to be connected to the other end of said fuse link, said latter fittin having a partially spherical surface on its lower outside part for engaging in a complementary socket.

- l-IENRY W. BODENDIECK. 

